Winning move by Workshop

FANTASY wargames outfit Games Workshop is paying $3m (£2.1m) in cash to take control of the company which makes collectable cards based on its miniature warriors.

GW is buying 85% of US-based Sabertooth, which owns the exclusive worldwide rights to make card games based on GW's two most popular toys, Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000.

Sabertooth was set up by former GW executive Bob Watts in 2000 and bought the Warhammer rights last year. GW's profits were dented last year when younger fans deserted it for Pokemon trading cards. The shares, which have recovered spectacularly since Tom Kirby re-installed himself as chief executive 15 months ago, today put on 5p to 551 1/2p.

Investor interest has soared since GW won exclusive rights to produce and sell tabletop wargames based on the Lord of the Rings trilogy.